Atmospheric boundary layer height from ground-based remote sensing: a review of capabilities and limitations

Abstract. The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) defines the volume of air adjacent to Earth's surface for dilution heat, moisture, and trace substances. Quantitative knowledge on temporal spatial variations in heights ABL its sub-layers is still scarce, despite their importance a series applications (including, example, quality, numerical weather prediction, greenhouse gas assessment, renewable energy production). Thanks recent advances ground-based remote-sensing measurement technology algorithm development, continuous profiling entire vertical extent at high resolution increasingly possible. Dense networks autonomous instruments, such as microwave radiometers, radar wind profilers, Doppler lidars or automatic ceilometers are hence emerging across Europe other parts world. This review summarises capabilities limitations various instrument types monitoring provides an overview vast number retrieval methods developed detection sub-layer from different quantities (temperature, humidity, wind, turbulence, aerosol). It outlined how diurnal evolution can be monitored effectively with combination methods, pointing out where instrumental methodological synergy considered particularly promising. highlights fact that harmonised data acquisition carefully designed sensor well tailored processing key obtaining high-quality products again essential capture complexity lowest part atmosphere which we live breathe.